Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1887-09-02

ain at Halltown, on the reverse of the
Fights that shut in Harper's Ferry on the
Frginia side. Here We fortified, got artil-
BY in position, and waited for General
brly's army to come and attack us. But
Confederates did not want any fighting
that ground, for our position was
longer. if anything, than the famous one
Cemetery Hill Mt Gettysburg. 1t was,
fact, a whole month later, and after
pch more maneuvering for position, that
ese armies fell together in the deadly
hpple of battle.
We underlings and musket- carriers Won
red great deal at the time what this
pvement to the rear meant. We learned
erward that Sheridan's scouts informed
b that Longstreet was at hand with a
avy reinforcement for Early, and that
General did not think it prudent to risk
battle against unknown numbers.
That night march of fifteen miles, from
camp near Strasburg beyond Winches-
was hard one. The men were wearied
were aroused from q sound sleep to
GIN the march. Our movements lately
been SO rapid that we were beyond the
nmlssary, and rations were about ex-
listed. During the stay near Strausburg
my Of the hungry soldiers had gathered
green corn from the fields, and naturally
come sick by eating it. The night of this
lrch was dark as Egypt; the weather was
Sc and sultry; and to finish and round
the cheerlessness of the situation, a
zzllng rain fell most of the night.
Many individual adventures occurred
night. One of the most interesting
that of William Shaw, private in one
The infantry regiments.
nav was a good soldier, and had never
ore fallen out on the march, however
llul or exhausting. But not more than
miles had been passed when he found
he was likely to fall in ais tracks from
sAess and exhaustion. He thought that
l nov rest would relieve him, so that he
lu overtahe the regiment again; SO, with
speaking to his captain. he stepped
70 the side of the road and threw him
uown on the ground.
1.-TWO minutes he was sound asleep. He
SO long that it was almost daylight
81 he awoke. The army was nowhere
NC seen; every vestige of it had passed
he took up his musket and started
~. but he was still weak and weary,
" the time the sun was up he found
ne could go no farther. He stopped at
.laii house little way back from the
'. and knocked. His canteen was
Nv and he thought that he could at
sst drink of the cold spring water
he Valley.
;oung woman came to the door. He
~ tor cup of water and chance to
Isiimself. She eyed his blue clothes
.is lnushet rather doubtfully, but told
sA1 ne could come in.
- NV, vas frying some bacon; and, when
l ht some corn-br without butter
Veen placed on the table, she asked
I'D !" ;, SIT up and eat. He thankfully ac-
er set1s some ground coffee in my
~s"eh' said he. "You're welcome
vt% nl she exclaimed. II haven't had
toF months.n
rd produced small package of it, and
sa Lian eagerly put it on to boil. With
isr n na9 to the homely breakfast, the
On ilade good meal.
nasa ne wanted more rest. His sickness
na,h siing of, and he was getting his
cnro oSack; but he grew drowsy again
in ~ sleep. He stretched himself
Was ' nc, wooden rocker where he sat,
hi asleep again before he could ex-
be- s.n TO the woman.
nnn' ood before him and looked at him
loon;. 70 have the boys catch him." she
yona aed: Its too bad to send such q
n lung ~ fellow to the Libby"
Det actions belied her words. She